b weed, or not to weed^
Marijuana sparks conversation about proposed act
C alley L athrop __________
Staff Reporter
Is marijuana really as bad
our health teachers say? Or
there more to the plant than
?ets the eye? Bad or good,
egonians will be choosing
les on the issue, as an act in
10 could legalize marijuana
Oregon.
"I smoke every day,
metimes multiple times,
hink those who are so
;ainst it wouldn't be if
ey were better educated...
should be legal because it
ie sale] would stimulate
regon's economy and cops
ould be able to focus on
ore important things," an
tonymous student said.
Cannabis is the little green
ant from which marijuana is
ade. Tetrohydrocannibinol
Iso known as THC,) is
e chemical in marijuana
at affects the brain and
uses "psychoactive" effects,
easure, memory, thoughts
id concentration are all
tered after consumption of
larijuana, according to the
ational Institute on Drug
buse.
Some argue that this drug
is beneficial properties,
hile some simply regard it
a harmful, toxic substance.
\e truth? It is neither. While
arijuana contains harmful
gredients like tar, and
noking it in any amount
damaging to the lungs, it
in help relieve symptoms
diseases like cancer and
:her conditions by producing
^petite and relaxing the
luscles of the user.
"I see people in my
ractice all the time who are
iffering because of long
term use. It tends to cause
a lack of motivation and
productivity. It's a way that
people cope with stress and
other problems. They become
dependant upon it and do not
Student Survey:
"How easy is it to obtain marijuana in
the West Linn community^"
take whatever consequences
come from it, they have the
right to use it," Kevin Bagetta,
senior, said.
"Some people think it's
not, but it really is dangerous.
You're losing brain cells, and
more and more is needed to
obtain the 'high' each time,
which can lead to addiction
and use of more dangerous
drugs," Alex Hutchinson,
senior, said.
Legalization is an option
some would opt for, most on
the basis of control, regulation
and taxation to produce profit
and make it harder to afford.
In 2010, Oregonians will vote
on the Oregon Cannabis Tax
Act, which, if passed, will
legalize marijuana to be sold
to those over 21 in a liquor-
store environment. 83,000
signatures are needed by
2010 to get the measure on
the Oregon ballot. Supporters
of the bill say that, if passed,
90% of the states proceeds will
go into the Oregon General
Fund-- that could add up to
m illions of dollars.
work out their problems.,"
Douglas Pullin, counselor,
said.
Possession of any amount
of marijuana is currently
illegal in Oregon. However, a
2006 survey by the National
Bureau of Mortality showed
that an average of 42% of high
school students have used
marijuana at least once. A
staggering 84% say that it is
"easy to get."
"I'll use it once or twice
on weekends, but not every
weekend. A lot of times it
helps me to concentrate,
honestly. I think it is much
West Linn High School, 5464 West A Street, West Linn, OR 97068
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§
The Amplifier is published approximately every’ four weeks by the West
Linn High School Advanced Journalism class. Opinions expressed in
commentaries and editorials represent only those of the writer, and are
not necessarily the opinions of West Linn High School, its administration,
faculty, staff, or student body.
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better than using alcohol
because you can still function
on a fairly normal level," an
anonymous student said.
Obviously, laws need to
be changed. No one has ever
Entertainment: Adam Holmes
Photo Editor: Hannah Zaayer
Staff Reporters
Austin Cummins, Chris Erbin,
Dillon George, Carly Halverson,
Sydney Hongo, Cole Hulden,
Dylan Lotspeidh, Sarah Lund,
Mary Mathes, Erin Robertson,
Tamra Schelot, Jackie Steeh
Photographers
Avery Breyne-Cartwright,
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Sarah Lund
Adviser: Ann Breyne
overdosed on marijuana and
it is considered the "least
addictive drug" by many
experts, but the fact remains
that it has 20 times as much
tar in it as cigarettes, as
well as many other harmful
chemicals.
Not only is marijuana use
rampant across the United
States, it also can and has had
negative impacts on the lives
of students, according to Sue
Raivio, English teacher.
"A great number of kids
experiment with drugs. A
great many don't know when
to draw limits, so for some
the cycle [of use] becomes
very hard to break. We, as
parents, don't often recognize
it, but regardless it can lead
to serious problems in school
and at home," she said.
"MANY people in this
school have used or regularly
use marijuana, and it is often
no secret," an anonymous
student said. "I know a ton of
people who use it, and even
more who have at least tried
it. It's so easy to get, many
people don't even think about
the fact that it's illegal."
However, many opt to
never experiment with the
drug.
"It's a person's choice
whether they want to do it
or not. I should not be able
to make that decision for
them. Yes, it's bad, but as long
as they are not negatively
affecting others because of
their use and are willing to
"It [legalization] would stop
illegal trade and we could
put a tax on it to produce
revenue. If it were legalized,
it should be heavily regulated
and expensive, because using
it in large amounts can mess
up people's productivity and
health. Another possibility
would be to keep records of
its sale for individuals, that
way people are not buying a
ton of it. The use of it should
be a personal choice, so why
not make money off it?" an
anonymous student said.
However, one must ask
whether or not the money
is worth the possible and
supposed harmful effects of
the drug.
People with debilitating
medical conditions, after
applying with the Oregon
Medical Marijuana Program,
can obtain a state-issued card
stating that they may smoke
marijuana for relief of their
symptoms (in moderation, of
course).
Medical marijuana should
be legalized in all states. It
relieves nausea and relaxes
ones muscles, which can be
very hard to do with just a
pill. Legalization of marijuana
for the public is a different
matter entirely. It can have
very negative side effects, but
also has been shown to be the
least addictive drug and
been found to contain more
protein, omega fatty acids
and fiber than any other plant
on earth, according to the
Campaign for The Restoration
and Regulation of Hemp.
continued on page 6
TRUTH about marijuana
,na arrests in the United States have increased by over
•DOO since 2 0 0 0
*
A Ithough US lavi/ classifies marijuana as a Schedule I con trolled
/»substance. which means it is potentially addictive and has
no acceptable medical use. a number of patients with chronic
illnesses claim that smoking it has helped with nausea and
relaxed their m uscles
I
R
egular smoking of m arijuana has shown to cause lung
damage, however, moderate use has shown little impact on
the lungs and other organs
I
t contains the same potency today as in the l%Os and 70s.
when marijuana usage was also common.
J
(J
ane. Mary Jane. One of many slang terms for marijuana.
including; ganja, dank, hooch, chronic and blunt
rine tests can d etect THC metabolites in urine for various
am ounts o f time based on height, weight and metabolism.
/V common reaction to marijuana is "acute panic anxiety." one
/Vpsychoactive" effect that is caused by T H C reactions with
THC receptors in the brain.
onusers o f m arijuana usually have the sam e grades and
productivity in college than periodic users Among highr
schoolers, marijuana use is usually paired with difficulty in school
N
A small minority o f Americans, less than I percent, smoke
/»m arijuana on a daily basis An even smaller minority develop
a dependence on marijuana. However. 4 2 2 of high'schoolers
say that they have tried or used marijuana.
Ml statistics from National Institute on
Drug Addiction and MaryuanaFactsor